Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-05-18
The District Fair for 1887.

The preparatory notes of all the agricul-
tural fairs in the State for the Fall exhi-
billions have been sounded. The Baldwin
District Fair some weeks since arranged its
schedule of premiums and set the work in
motion for its second annual show.
The management of the State Agricultu-
raj Society has wisely provided for can
vass, by well-informed gentlemen, during
the Summer and early Fall, of all sections
of the State from which contributions would
probably 60 in to increase the number and
subjects for exhibition. To increase the
interest in that manner enlarges it in others,
and it will prove very decidedly beneficial
in drawing larger crowds of visitors than
would otherwise attend. No matter to
what degree of excellence the exhibition it.
self may attain, it is at last partial failure
in carrying forward its objects, unless the
people be there in full numbers and moved
with some degree of enthusiasm.
With railroad transportation in every
county, except one, embraced in our Dis
trict Fair, We have good base upon which
to hope for still larger success than We had
last Fall, by adopting the plan of the State
Society for the purpose of drawing articles
for exhibition and attracting the people to
it. By making reference to the other coun-
ties in this way with the view of securing
increased patronage, it was not intended to
omit Highland, which deserves, though it
has not, railroad facilities, and though de-
pending solely on private modes of trans
portation, it has nobly responded to the
efforts made for building up our district
organization.
In the last issue of the SPECTATOR, there
were lengthy extracts from the April report
of our State Commissioner of Agriculture.
discussing vital questions to those engaged
in farming and associated pursuits. In the
main they were not new questions, but the
new phases which they have assumed rem
der them of increased and continuing i'm
portance, and we are gratified that Colonel
Harrison presented them in the pointed
and practical way he did. To solve the
problem of future agricultural prosperity is
not to be accomplished by past experience,
and in this day of anxiety to the toiling
husbandman there is no time to lose, nor
capital to waste in uncertain experiments.
To get at these matters in practical way
for real benefit nothing answers the purpose
SO well as Farmers Clubs. A canvass in
the interest of Fair is direct aid to pro-
gressve farming and nothing can influence
more effectively the formation of clubs
the best mediums of communicating ad-
vancing ideas and securing practical and
beneficial results. 1t is our misfortune in
Virginia that every neighborhood has not
it's Farmers Club and library which the
members should keep square up with the
developments such literature furnishes tor
their interests. Clubs exist in few in
stances in the State, and where that is the
case, the advantages are manifold. They
are more prevalent in Maryland, and there
farming and the kindred industries are
largely benefited through that instrument
tality.
The mission of our District Organization
does not end with securing large exhibitions
and drawing together the people on such
occasions. 1t is its province to institute
the means which will aid by counsel and
other Information the farmer to make his
acres and his toll more profitable than they
are now. This it does to a certain extent
by offering rewards for increased and i'm
proved production. With the tender of
premiums let the stimulating influences Of
the organization itself be felt in every
neighborhood, unfolding to the view the
dormant or partially undeveloped resources
and energies which can be made to accom-
plish more than they are now doing
Whilst this broad view of canvass may
not at first strike the mind, it will prove to
be the result in the end. The real founda-
lions of the Fair will be enlarged by an
agency, which, commencing its work for a
temporary purpose, excite elements of ac-
tivity that result in a permanent benefit
and safe reliance for future prosperity.
AS agriculture is the foundation of the
prosperity of the State, SO it should be
fostered and wisely provided for by legisla-
ton. Some additional progress has been
made in that direction of late years, and as
fast as other demands upon the public
treasury will admit of it, the appropriations
should be on more liberal scale. Out of
the small allowance made to sustain a de-
partment of agriculture, large benefits have
accrued. Without enumerating them, and
the still further advantages to be realized,
the one protection which has been brought
about to farmers in the matter of CONNER
cial fertilizers has been an immense saving
because of the analysis and inspection they
are subjected to under the direction of the
agricultural department. Farmers clubs,
and the efforts of the District and State
societies, through the channels of commu-
| nication referred to, will exercise a whole
some influence in educating the mind of the
farmer up to the full appreciation of the
close relations which exist between his own
and the public prosperity, and how impor-
tant a factor he is in keeping the Govern
ment well poised in executing it's functions.
Let, then, not only farmers but the stir
ring business people everywhere, welcome
the canvassers of the State, and if the Bald
win District Fair will adopt the same
policy, the second of it's exhibitions as an
enlarged institution, will surpass the first,
and freshly blaze the way TO growing and
continuing usefulness.